Curable polyene-polythiol compositions

ABSTRACT

A curable composition comprising compatible polyene and polythiol in which both the components are derived from a hydrantoin glycol. The polyene is typically a reaction product of N,N&#39;-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin, a diisocyanate and an unsaturated alcohol, e.g., allyl alcohol. The polythiol is typically a reaction product of N,N-&#39;-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin and a mercapto carboxylic acid, e.g., β-mercaptopropionic acid. Upon exposure to a free radical generator, e.g., actinic radiation, this polyene-polythiol composition cures to solid, insoluble, chemically resistant, crosslinked polythioether products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a curable polymer composition. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a solvent solublepolyene-polythiol curable composition, method of preparing the same, aswell as curing the polyene-polythiol composition in the presence of afree radical generator to solid, cross-linked solvent-insolublematerials.

It is known that polyenes are curable by polythiols in the presence offree radical generators such as actinic radiation to solid polythioethercontaining resinous or elastomeric products. The commercially availablepolythiols, e.g., mercaptocarboxylate esters of polyols used in curingafford cured polythioether products having a low percent elongation onfailure. However there are several end uses wherein a coating must havea relatively high elongation in order to be operable. For example it isnecessary that a coating on a bottle cap have a relatively highelongation since after it is applied and cured on the metal blank, theblank is subsequently formed by extrusion or otherwise into cap formwhich necessitates that the coating have sufficient elongation to followthe contours of the thus formed cap without rupture. Additionally inbottle coating it is necessary that the cured coating have highelongation to prevent glass shattering. Thus a curable coating having ahigh elongation after curing is desirous.

In accordance with this invention, a curable polymer composition can beprepared from compatible polyene and polythiol components derived from ahydantoin glycol. This polyene and polythiol mixture is a highlyreactive composition which is capable of being photocured when exposedto actinic radiation in the presence of a UV sensitizer to insolublepolythioether containing materials which exhibit excellent physical andchemical properties. For example, wire coatings formed from the curedpolyene and polythiol composition are capable of withstanding severetemperature environments for extended periods. The subject curedmaterials resist strongly acid etching solutions or high alkalineconditions. Additionally the cured polythioether product from thepolyenes and polythiols herein has remarkable flexibility and highelongation at failure as will be shown in an example hereinafter. Thedesirable characteristics of the cured materials make the hydantoinglycol derived polyene-polythiol curable composition particularly usefulas coatings on wire and formable metals.

Generally speaking, the novel curable composition is comprised of apolyene component containing at least 2 reactive carbon to carbonunsaturated bonds per molecule which is a reaction product ofN,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin and at least one unsaturatedorganic compound such as ene-acid or ene-isocyanate; and a polythiolcomponent containing at least two thiol groups, which is the reactionproduct of N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin and amercaptocarboxylic acid.

The formation of such polyenes may be schematically represented by thefollowing nonlimiting equation, wherein the unsaturated organic compoundreactant is an ene-isocyanate having reactive allylic end groups asillustrated by a reaction product of one mole of 2,4-toluenediisocyanate with one mole of allyl alchohol: ##SPC1##

Similarly, the formation of the polythiol may be represented by thenonlimiting equation illustrating β-mercaptopropionic acid as themercaptocarboxylic reactant: ##EQU1##

Furthermore, the hydantoin glycols are generally commercially availablematerials. The operable hydantoin glycols include not onlyN,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin, but also polyethoxylatedderivatives thereof. These polyethoxylated derivatives are formed by theaddition of the desired number of moles of ethylene oxide to theN,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin, i.e., by a conventionalepoxide ring-opening addition reaction.

The aforedescribed hydantoin glycols are operable starting materials forthe formation of both the polyene and polythiol.

In the curable polyene-polythiol containing compositions, the hydantoinglycols backbone may be either identical or different for both thepolyene and polythiol components.

One group of operable polyenes containing hydantoin glycol backbones areunsaturated urethane derivatives. These polyenes, i.e., unsaturatedurethane derivatives of hydantoin glycol may be represented by thegeneral formula: ##EQU2## wherein Q is the hydantoin glycol moietyremaining after the two hydroxyl groups of the hydantoin glycol havereacted to form two urethane, i.e., ##EQU3## linkages; A and B arepolyvalent organic radical members free of reactive carbon to carbonunsaturation and containing group members such as aryl, substitutedaryl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cylcoalkyl,alkyl and substituted alkyl containing 1 to 36 carbon atoms and mixturesthereof. These group members can be connected by a chemically compatiblelinkage such as --O--, --S--, carboxylate, carbonate, carbonyl, urethaneand substituted urethane, urea and substituted urea, amide andsubstituted amide, amine and substituted amine and hydrocarbon. Z is adivalent chemically compatible linkage such as ##EQU4## --O-- and --S--,preferably ##EQU5##

Preferred examples of operable aryl members are either phenyl ornaphthyl, and of operable cycloalkyl members which have from 3 to 8carbon atoms. Likewise, preferred substituents on the substitutedmembers may be such groups as chloro, bromo, nitro, acetoxy, acetamido,phenyl, benzyl, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 9 carbon atoms, and cycloalkylof 3 to 8 carbon atoms.

X is a member selected from the group consisting of:

a. --(CH₂)_(d) --CR'=CHR

b. --O(CH₂)_(d) --CR'=CHR

c. --S--(CH₂)_(d) --CR'=CHR

d. --(CH₂)_(d) --C.tbd.CR

e. --O--(CH₂)_(d) --C.tbd.CR

f. --S--(CH₂)_(d) --C.tbd.CR

and mixtures thereof; and R and R' each are independently either ahydrogen or methyl radical, preferably a hydrogen radical; and d, p andq each are integers from 0 to 1; y is an integer from 1 to 10,preferably 1 to 5; r is an integer of at least 1, preferably from 1 to4, and more particularly from 1 to 2.

As used herein, polyenes and polyynes refer to simple or complex speciesof alkenes or alkynes having a multiplicity of pendant or terminallyreactive carbon to carbon unsaturated functional groups per averagemolecule. For example, a diene is a polyene that has two reactive carbonto carbon double bonds per average molecule, while a diyne is a polyynethat contains two reactive carbon to carbon triple bonds per averagemolecule; a solid polyene which is a reaction product of a styrene-allylalcohol copolymer having about 8 hydroxyl groups per average moleculeand a reactive unsaturated monoisocyanate having one terminal reactivecarbon to carbon double bond per average molecule is a complex polyenewhich contains in its structure 8 reactive carbon to carbon double bondsper average molecule. For purposes of brevity, all these classes ofcompounds will be referred to hereafter as polyenes.

In defining the position of the reactive functional carbon to carbonunsaturation, the term terminal is intended to mean that functionalunsaturation is at an end of the main chain in the molecule. The termpendant means that the reactive carbon to carbon unsaturation is locatedterminal in a branch of the main chain as contrasted to a position at ornear the ends of the main chain. For purposes of brevity, all of thesepositions are referred to herein generally as terminal unsaturation.

functionality as used herein refers to the average number of ene orthiol groups per molecule in the polyene or polythiol, respectively. Forexample, a triene is a polyene with an average of three reactive carbonto carbon unsaturated groups per molecule, and thus has a functionality(f) of three. A dithiol is a polythiol with an average of two thiolgroups per molecule and thus has a functionality (f) of two.

The term reactive unsaturated carbon to carbon groups means groups whichwill react under proper conditions as set forth herein with thiol groupsto yield the thioether linkage ##EQU6## as contrasted to the termunreactive carbon to carbon unsaturation which means ##EQU7## groupsfound in aromatic nuclei (cyclic structures exemplified by benzene,pyridine, anthracene, and the like) which do not under the sameconditions react with thiols to give thioether linkages. For purposes ofbrevity, this term will hereinafter be referred to generally as reactiveunsaturation or a reactive unsaturated compound.

As used herein, the term polyvalent means having a valence of two orgreater.

A general method of forming the urethane-containing hydantoin glycolbased polyene is to react the hydantoin glycol material represented by ageneral formula Q--(OH)₂, in which Q is as hereinbefore set forth; withat least one reactive unsaturated isocyanate of the general formulaNCO--A--[Z_(p) -(X)_(y) ]_(r) in which the members A, Z, B, X and theintegers p, q, y and r are as hereinbefore set forth.

The term reactive unsaturated isocyanate will hereinafter be referred toas an ene-isocyanate or an yne-isocyanate.

The reaction is carried out in a moisture free atmosphere at atmosphericpressure at a temperature in the range from about 30° to 100°C,preferably from about 40° to 80°C, for a period of about 10 minutes toabout 24 hours. The reaction is preferably a one step reaction whereinall the reactants are charged together. The ene-isocyanate oryne-isocyanate is added in a stoichiometric amount necessary to reactwith the hydroxy groups in the hydantoin glycol. The reaction, ifdesired, may be carried out in the presence of a catalyst and inertsolvent. Operable non-limiting catalysts include tin catalysts such asdibutyl tin diluarate, stannous octoate; tertiary amines such astriethylene diamine or N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,3-butanediamine, etc.Useful inert solvents include aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenatedsaturated aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons and mixtures thereof.Representative non-limiting examples include benzene, chlorobenzene,chloroform, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane and the like.

Operable ene- or yne- isocyanates having the above defined generalformula include, but are not limited to, simple monoeneisocyanates suchas allyl isocyanate, 2-methallyl isocyanate, crotyl isocyanate, etc.

The aforementioned reactive unsaturated isocyanates are a group ofcompounds having the above general formula of operable ene- oryne-isocyanates wherein the integers p and q are 0 and r is 1. Thus, theurethane hydantoin glycol based polyenes formed from these reactiveunsaturated isocyanates may be represented by simplifying the generalformula for the polyenes to the following specific formula: ##EQU8##wherein preferably y is 1 and the other members being as hereinbeforeset forth.

Other operable ene- or yne-isocyanates are those prepared by reacting apolyisocyanate of the general formula A--(NCO)_(x), in which x is atleast 2 and A is as hereinbefore set forth; with a reactive unsaturatedalcohol of the general formula [(x)--B--]--OH in which B, X and y are ashereinbefore set forth.

The above polyisocyanate and alcohol reactants are added in suchstoichiometric amounts that x-1 isocyanate groups react to give x-1urethane linkages.

Operable non-limiting examples of starting polyisocyanate reactantsinclude hexamethylenediisocyanate, tolylene diisocyanate, xylylenediisocyanate, methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate, 4,4'-methylene(cyclohexylisocyanate), 1-methoxy-2,4,6-benzenetrisocyanate,2,4,4'-triisocyanatodiphenylether, diphenylmethane tetraisocyanates,polyisocyanates having various functional groups such asN,N',N"-tris(isocyanatohexyl)-biuret or adducts of polyalcohols anddiisocyanates which have at least 2 free isocyanate groups. Adduct oftrimethylolpropane and 3 moles of toluene diisocyanate, is suitable.

Illustrative of the operable reactive unsaturated alcohols which mayreact with the polyisocyanates to give the desired ene-isocyanateinclude but are not limited to allyl and methallyl alcohol, crotylalcohol, crotyl alcohol, ω-undecylenyl alcohol, 2-vinyloxyethanol,vinylhydroxyethyl sulfide, propargyl alcohol, 1-allylcyclopentanol,2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol. Reactive unsaturated derivatives of polyhydricalcohols such as glycols, triols, tetraols, etc., are also suitable.Representative examples include trimethylolpropane or trimethylolethanediallyl ethers, pentaerythritol triallyl ether and the like. Mixtures ofvarious reactive unsaturated dalcohols are operable as well. A suitableene-isocyanate prepared by treating one mole of trimethylbenzenetriisocyanate with two moles of trimethylolpropane diallyl ether. Theresulting urethane containing ene-isocyanate is a polyene having fourreactive allyl ether groups per molecule. Mixtures of various ene- oryne-isocyanates are operable as well.

Another class of polyenes operable in forming the curablepolyene-polythiol system of the subject invention are esters ofhydantoin glycol. Similarly, these polyenes may be represented by thegeneral formula: ##EQU9## wherein Q is the hydantoin glycol moietyremaining after removal of the 2 hydroxyl groups from the said hydantoinglycol thereby forming an ester linkage; the members A, B and X andintegers p, q, y and r are as hereinbefore set forth in the urethanecontaining hydantoin glycol based polyene and k is an integer from 0 to1.

A general method of forming these esters is to react the hydantoinglycol represented by the aforedefined general formula Q--(OH)₂ ; withat least one reactive unsaturated monocarboxylic acid of the generalformula: ##EQU10## in which the members A, B and X, and the integers k,p, q, y and r are as hereinbefore set forth. The term reactiveunsaturated carboxylic acid will hereinafter be referred to as an ene-and/or an yne-acid.

The esterification reaction may be carried out in a conventional mannerin the presence of an acid catalyst, the water formed during thereaction being removed as an azeotrope.

Operable ene- or yen-acids include but are not limited to simplemonoene-acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinylacetic acid,5-hexenoic acid, 6-heptynoic acid, propiolic acid and the like.

These aforementioned reactive unsaturated acids are a group of acidshaving the above general formula of operable ene- or yne-acids whereinthe integers p and q are 0, and r is 1. Thus the ester containinghydantoin glycol based polyenes formed from these reactive unsaturatedacids may be represented by simplfiying the general formula for thepolyenes to the following specific formula: ##EQU11## which, preferablyy is 1 and the other members being as hereinbefore set forth.

Other operable acids are those containing more than one terminallyreactive unsaturated group in the molecule. These may be prepared byreacting a polycarboxylic acid of the general formula A--(COOH)_(x), inwhich x is at least 2 and A is as hereinbefore set forth, with areactive unsaturated alcohol of the general formula [(X)_(y) -B]-OH, inwhich B, X and y are as hereinbefore set forth.

The above polycarboxylic acid and alcohol reactants are added in suchstoichiometric amounts that x- 1 carboxylic groups react to give x- 1ester linkages.

Operable polycarboxylic acids include but are not limited todicarboxylic acids such as adipic, tartaric, succinic, terephthalic,etc.

Operable reactive unsaturated alcohol components are the same asdescribed above as being suitablel in forming ene-isocyanates. As anexample, a suitable ene-acid can be prepared by reacting one mole oftrimethylolpropane diallyl ether with one mole of succinic anhydride inthe presence of pyridine as a solvent. The resulting succinate productcontains a free carboxylic group as well as two reactive allyl ethergroups.

The polythiol component of the curable composition is mercaptoesterhaving two thiol groups per molecule. The polythiol is a reactionproduct of hydantoin glycol and at least one mercaptocarboxylic acid.The polythiols may be represented by the following general formula:##EQU12## and E is the hydantoin glycol moiety remaining after removalof the 2 hydroxyl groups from the hydantoin glycol thereby forming 2ester linkages; R₃ is a polyvalent organic radical member free ofreactive carbon to carbon unsaturation and contains group members suchas aryl, substituted aryl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, alkyl and substituted alkyl groups containing 1to 16 carbon atoms.

Preferred examples of operable aryl members are either phenyl ornaphthyl, and of operable cycloalkyl members which have from 3 to 8carbon atoms. Likewise, preferred substitutents on the substitutedmembers may be such groups as chloro, bromo, nitro, acetoxy, acetamido,phenyl, benzyl, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 9 carbon atoms, and cycloalkylof 3 to 8 carbon atoms.

Operable hydantoin glycols are those of the formula: ##EQU13## whereinm + n are 2 to 22 and m and n are each at least 1.

Operable mercaptocarboxylic acids include but are not limited tothioglycollic acid (mercaptoacetic acid), α-mercaptopropionic acid,β-mercaptopropionic acid, 4-mercaptobutyric acid, mercaptovaleric acids,mercaptoundecyclic acid, mercaptostearic acid, and o- andp-mercaptobenzoic acids. Preferably, thioglycollic orβ-mercaptopropionic acid is employed. Mixtures of variousmercaptocarboxylic acids are operable as well.

The polythiol esters are prepared by the esterification of the hydantoinglycol with mercaptocarboxylic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst,the water formed during the reaction being removed as an azeotrope in asuitable solvent.

The reaction is carried out at atmospheric pressure at a temperature inthe range of from 60° to about 150°C, preferably from 60° to 110°C. fora period of 30 minutes to about 24 hours.

Suitable acid catalysts include but are not limited to p-toluenesulfonicacid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and the like. Useful inertsolvents include but are not limited to saturated aliphatichydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ethers,ketones, etc. Representative non-limiting examples of solvents includetoluene, benzene, xylene, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, etc.

In summary, by admixing the novel hydantoin glycol based polyenes andpolythiols and thereafter exposing the mixture at ambient conditions toa free radical generator, a solid, cured insoluble polythioether producthaving a high percent elongation is obtained.

Prior to curing, the polyene and polythiol components are admixed in asuitable manner so as to form a homogeneous solid curable mixture. Thus,the polyene and polythiol reactants can be admixed without the necessityof using a solvent at room temperature or slightly elevated temperaturesup to about 80°C when one of the components is a solid or, if desired,the reactants may be dissolved in a suitable solvent and thereafter thesolvent can be removed by suitable means such as evaporation.

To obtain the maximum strength, solvent resistance, creep resistance,heat resistance and freedom from tackiness, the reactive componentsconsisting of the polyenes and polythiols are formulated in such amanner as to give solid, crosslinked, three dimensional networkpolythioether polymer systems on curing. In order to achieve suchinfinite network formation, the individual polyenes and polythiols musteach have a functionality of at least 2 and the sum of thefunctionalities of the polyene and polythiol components must always begreater than 4. Blends and mixtures of various polyenes and variouspolythiols containing said functionality are also operable herein.

The compositions to be cured in accord with the present invention may,if desired, include such additives as antioxidants, accelerators, dyes,inhibitors, activators, fillers, thickeners, pigments, anti-staticagents, flame-retardant agents, surface-active agents, extending oils,plasticizers and the like within the scope of this invention. Suchadditives are usually pre-blended with the polyene or polythiol prior toor during the compounding step. The aforesaid additives may be presentin quantities up to 500 or more parts based on 100 parts by weight ofthe polyene-polythiol curable compositions and preferably 0.005-300parts on the same basis.

The polythioether-forming components and compositions, prior to curingmay be admixed with or blended with other monomeric and polymericmaterials such as thermoplastic resins, elastomers or thermosettingresin monomeric or polymeric compositions. The resulting blend may besubjected to conditions for curing or co-curing of the variouscomponents of the blend to give cured products having unusual physicalproperties.

Although the mechanism of the curing reaction is not completelyunderstood, it appears most likely that the curing reaction may beinitiated by most any free radical generating source which dissociatesor abstracts a hydrogen atom from an SH group, or accomplishes theequivalent thereof. Generally, the rate of the curing reaction may beincreased by increasing the temperature of the composition at the timeof initiation of cure. In most applications, however, the curing isaccomplished conveniently and economically by operating at ordinary roomtemperature conditions.

Operable curing initiators or accelerators include radiation such asactinic radiation, e.g., ultraviolet light, lasers; ionizing radiationsuch as gamma radiation, x-rays, corona discharge, etc.; as well aschemical free radical generating compounds such as azo, peroxidic, etc.,compounds.

Azo or peroxidic compounds (with or without amine accelerators) whichdecompose at ambient conditions are operable as free radical generatingagents capable of accelerating the curing reaction include benzoylperoxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, cyclohexanone peroxide with dimethylaniline or cobalt naphthenate as an accelerator; hydroperoxides such ashydrogen peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, t-butyl hydroperoxides; peracidcompounds such as t-butylperbenzoate, peracetic acid; persulfates, e.g.,ammonium persulfate; azo compounds such as azobis-isobutyronitrile andthe like.

These free radical generating agents are usually added in amountsranging from about 0.001 to 10 percent by weight of the curable solidpolyene-polythiol composition, preferably .01 to 5 percent.

The curing period may be retarded or accelerated from less than 1 minuteto 30 days or more.

Conventional curing inhibitors or retarders which may be used in orderto stabilize the components or curable compositions so as to preventpremature onset of curing may include hydroquinone; p-tert-butylcatechol; 2,6-di tert-butyl-p-methylphenol; phenothiazine;N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine; phosphorous acid; pyrogallol and the like.

The preferred free radical generator for the curing reaction is actinicradiation, suitably in the wavelength of about 2000 to 7500A, preferablyfor 2000 to 4000A.

A class of actinic light useful herein is ultraviolet light, and otherforms of actinic radiation which are normally found in radiation emittedfrom the sun or from artificial sources such as Type RS Sunlamps, carbonarc lamps, xenon are lamps, mercury vapor lamps, tungsten halide lampsand the like. Ultraviolet radiation may be used most efficiently if thephotocurable polyene/polythiol composition contains a suitablephotocuring rate accelerator. Curing periods may be adjusted to be veryshort and hence commercially economical by proper choice of ultravioletsource, photocuring rate accelerator and concentration thereof,temperature and molecular weight, and reactive group functionality ofthe polyene and polythiol. Curing periods of less than about 1 secondduration are possible, especially in thin film applications such asdesired, for example, in coatings, adhesives and photoimaged surfaces.

Various photosensitizers, i.e., photocuring rate accelerators areoperable and well known to those skilled in the art. Examples ofphotosensitizers include, but are not limited to, benzophenoneo-methoxybenzophenone, acetophenone, o-methoxyacetophenone,acenaphthene-quinone, methyl ethyl ketone, valerophenone, hexanophenone,γ-phenylbutyrophenone, p-morpholinopropiophenone, dibenzosuberone,4-morpholinobenzophenone, benzoin, benzoin methyl ether,4'-morpholinodeoxybenzoin, p-diacetylbenzene, 4-aminobenzophenone,4'-methoxyacetophenone, benzaldehyde, o-methoxybenzaldehyde,α-tetralone, 9-acetylphenanthrene, 2-acetylphenanthrene,10-thioxanthenone, 3-acetylphenanthrene, 3-acetylindole, 9-fluorenone,1-indanone, 1,3,5-triacetylbenzene, thioxanthen-9-one, xanthene-9-one,7-H-benz[de]anthracen-7-one, 1-naphthaldehyde,4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)benzophenone, fluorene-9-one, 1'-acetonaphthone,2'-acetonaphthone, triphenylphosphine, tri-o-tolylphosphine,acetonaphthone and 2,3-butanedione, benz[a]anthracene 7,12 dione, etc.,which serve to give greatly reduced exposure times and thereby when usedin conjunction with various forms of energetic radiation yield veryrapid, commercially practical time cycles by the practice of the instantinvention.

These photocuring rate accelerators may range from about 0.005 to 50percent by weight of the photocurable polyene-polythiol composition,preferably 0.05 to 25 percent.

The mole ratio of the ene/thiol groups for preparing the curablecomposition is from about 0.2/1.0 to about 8/1.0, and preferably from0.5/1.0 to about 2/1.0 group ratio.

The curable hydantoin glycol derived polyene and polythiol compositionsare used in preparing solid, cured crosslinked insoluble polythioetherpolymeric products having many and varied uses, examples of whichinclude, but are not limited to, coatings; adhesives; films; moldedarticles; imaged surfaces, e.g., solid photoresists; solid printingplates; e.g., offset, lithographic, letterpress, gravures, etc.,silverless photographic materials and the like.

Since the cured materials formed from the polyene-polythiol compositionposses various desirable properties such as resistance to severechemical and physical environments and have a high percent elongation,they are particularly useful for preparing coatings.

A general method for preparing coatings, comprises coating the curablecomposition on a solid surface of a substrate such as plastic, rubber,glass, ceramic, metal, paper and the like; exposing directly toradiation, e.g., U.V. light until the curable composition cures andcrosslinks in the exposed areas. The resulting products are curedcoatings on suitable substrates or supports.

In forming the composition comprised of the polythiol and the polyene,it is desirable that the photocurable composition contain a photocuringrate accelerator from about 0.005 to 50 parts by weight based on 100parts by weight of the aforementioned polyene and polythiol.

It is to be understood, however, that when energy sources, e.g, ionizingradiation, other than visible or ultraviolet light, are used to initiatethe curing reaction, photocuring rate accelerators (i.e,photosensitizers, etc.) generally are not required in the formulation.

When U.V. radiation is used for the curing reaction, a dose of 0.0004 to6.0 watts/cm² is usually employed.

The following examples will aid in explaining, but should not be deemedlimiting, the instant invention. In all cases unless otherwise noted,all parts and percentages are by weight.

EXAMPLE I

To a 3,000 ml. resin kettle equipped with stirrer, thermometer, nitrogeninlet and outlet and vented addition funnel was charged under a nitrogenblanket 959.4 grams of commercially available trimethylolpropane diallylether and 0.98 grams of stannous octoate catalyst. 1,000 grams ofcommercially available isophorone diisocyanate was charged to theaddition funnel and added dropwise to the kettle with stirring over a41/2 hour period while maintaining the temperature below 70°C. After theisophorone diisocyanate was completely added, the temperature wasallowed to drop to room temperature (24°C), the nitrogen blanketdiscontinued and the reaction was stirred for 48 hours.

To a separate 1,000 ml. resin kettle equipped with stirrer, thermometer,nitrogen inlet and outlet and vented addition funnel was charged 535grams of the reaction product from above along with 16 drops of stannousoctoate. 301.3 grams of commercially available pentaethoxylatedN,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydanotin was charged to the additionfunnel and thereafter added dropwise to the resin kettle with stirringwhile maintaining the temperature below 70°C. The resultant polyeneproduct of the formula: ##SPC2##

wherein m + n equals 7 and the polyene product had a carbon to carbonunsaturation content of 2.9 mmoles/g.

This polyene will be referred to hereinafter as Polyene A.

EXAMPLE II

To a 3,000 ml. resin kettle equipped with stirrer, thermometer, nitrogeninlet and outlet and vented addition funnel was charged under a nitrogenblanket 261 grams of commercially available tolylene diisocyanate. 87grams of commerically available allyl alcohol was added to the additionfunnel and thereafter added dropwise to the resin kettle with stirringwhile maintaining the temperature below 85°C. After 11/2 hours theaddition was complete and the reaction was stirred for an additional11/2 hours at which time the isocyanate was analyzed and was found to be4.26 meq./g.

325 grams of the reaction product was transferred to a 200 ml. resinkettle similarly equipped as above and containing 400 ml. chloroform and0.25 gram stannous octoate. 151.3 grams of commercially availableN,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin was added to the resin kettleand a definite exotherm was noted. The NCO band in the IR was followeduntil disappearance. The material was transferred to a blender andpetroleum ether was added to precipitate the product as a fine whitepowder. The powder was filtered and dried in vacuo. It contained acarbon-to-carbon unsaturation of 2.7 mmoles/g. This resulting polyenehas the formula: ##SPC3##

This polyene will hereinafter be referred to as Polyene B.

EXAMPLE III

To a 1,000 ml. resin kettle equipped with stirrer, thermometer, nitrogeninlet and outlet and vented addition funnel was charged 294.8 grams ofcommercially available tolylene diisocyanate. 365.2 grams oftrimethylolpropane diallyl ether was charged to the addition funnel andthereafter added dropwise to the resin kettle under a nitrogenatmosphere while maintaining the temperature below 28°C. After theaddition was complete the material was stirred for about 4 hours. Thematerial had a NCO content of 2.47 meq./g.

To another 1,000 ml. resin kettle equipped with stirrer, thermometer,nitrogen inlet and outlet and an addition funnel was charged 200 gramsof commercially available pentadecaethoxylated N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylhydantoin having an OH content of 1.95 meq./g. along with 3drops of stannous octoate. 157.2 grams of the reaction product of thetolylene diisocyanate and the trimethylolpropane diallyl ether reactionsupra was charged to the addition funnel and thereafter added dropwiseto the resin kettle. The temperature was maintained below 58°C. duringthe 41/2 hours of addition. The reaction was stirred for an additional21 hours during which time the NCO content was monitored by IR scans.The resultant polyene had a carbon to carbon unsaturation of 2.35mmoles/g. and had the formula: ##SPC4##

wherein m + n is 17.

This polyene will hereinafter be referred to as Polyene C.

EXAMPLE IV

Example III was repeated except that 226 grams of the reaction productof tolylene diisocyanate and trimethylolpropane diallyl ether was addedto 200 grams of commercially available decaethoxylatedN,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylhydantoin. The resultant polyene had aC=C content of 2.72 meq./g. and had the formula: ##SPC5##

wherein m + n is 12.

This polyene will hereinafter be referred to as Polyene D.

EXAMPLE V

Example III was repeated except that 326 grams of the reaction productof tolylene diisocyanate and trimethylolpropane diallyl ether eas addedto 200 grams of commercially available pentaethoxylatedN,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin. The resultant polyene had acarbon to carbon unsaturation of 3.17 mmoles/g. and had the formula:##SPC6##

wherein m + n is 7.

This polyene will hereinafter be referred to as Polyene E.

EXAMPLE VI

To a 3,000 ml. resin kettle equipped with stirrer, thermometer, nitrogeninlet and outlet and addition funnel was charged under a nitrogenblanket 250 grams of commercially available tolylene diisocyanate alongwith 0.28 grams of stannous octoate catalyst. 323.14 grams of diallylmalate was charged to the addition funnel and thereafter added dropwiseto the resin kettle with stirring while maintaining the temperaturebelow 58°C. The reaction was continued for 4 hours. 529 grams of thereaction product was transferred to a dropping funnel and thereafteradded dropwise to a 2,000 ml. resin kettle containing 147.4 grams ofcommercially available N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin and0.39 grams stannous octoate. The reaction thickened as additioncontinued and the temperature was allowed to rise to about 100°C topermit stripping. An additional 0.39 grams of stannous octoate was addedto the reaction and the reaction was continued for 51 hours at whichtime the IR scan showed zero NCO. The resultant polyene had a C=Ccontent of 4.06 mmoles/g. and was of the formula: ##SPC7##

This polyene will hereinafter be referred to as Polyene F.

The following examples show the preparation of a polythiol derived froma hydantoin glycol.

EXAMPLE VII

To a 2,000 ml. 3-necked flask equipped for distillation with stirrer andnitrogen inlet was charged 432 grams (2 moles) of commercially availableN,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin, 445 grams ofmercaptopropionic acid and 17.5 grams p-toluenesulfonic acid. 100 ml. ofethylene dichloride was added to the flask. The mixture was heated withstirring for 8 hours and the evolved water was continuously removed byazeotropic distillation at 71°-75°C, returning the ethylene dichlorideto the reaction flask. The solution in the flask was then washed oncewith about 1,000 ml. water, twice with about 1,000 ml. of 5 percentsodium bicarbonate and finally with about 1,000 ml. of water. Thesolution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, mixed with 10 g. ofdecolorizing carbon and filtered. The solvent was removed by vacuumdistillation, affording 672 g. of product or an 86 percent yield of thefollowing polythiol: ##EQU14##

This polythiol will be referred to hereinafter as Polythiol Z.

EXAMPLE VIII

To a 2 liter, 3-necked, round-bottom flask equipped with stirrer,thermometer, Dean-Stark trap and reflux condenser was charged 216 gramsof comercially available N,N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dimethylhydantoin,193.2 grams of thioglycollic acid, 8.18 grams of p-toluenesulfonic acidand 500 ml. of benzene. The mixture was heated to reflux temperaturewith stirring. The amount of water collected in the Dean-Stark trap wasperiodically determined and the reaction was stopped when 39.5 ml. waterwas collected. The mixture was cooled to room temperature, washed with500 ml. water then twice washed with 500 ml. of a 5 percent NaHCO₃solution followed by an additional 500 ml. water wash. The benzene layerwas removed and dried over 60 grams anhydrous MgSO₄. 2.5 gramsdecolorizing carbon was then added to the mixture and it was filteredthrough a fritted filter with the aid of a vacuum. The benzene wasstripped off under high vacuum in a flash evaporator to give thepolythiol in the amount of 293 grams (80.5 percent yield). On analysisthe product had an SH content of 4.96 meq. SH/g., a COOH content of 0.02meq. COOH/g. and an ester content of 6.07 meq. ester/g. The polythiolhad the formula: ##EQU15##

The following examples show the ability of the polyenes and polythiolsherein to form cured polythioethers on exposure to actinic radiation.The polyenes and polythiols herein when cured together result in curedmaterials having a high percent of elongation on failure as compared toother commercially available polyenes and polythiols.

EXAMPLE IX

The following formulations were prepared in 200 ml. brown samplebottles. In all cases accurately weighed amounts of the polyene,stabilizers, photosensitizer and polythiol were added to the bottle andadmixed until homogeneous before use. When Polyene A (a solid at roomtemperature 25°C) was used in the formulation, it was heated to 80°C inorder to facilitate weighing and handling.

    ______________________________________                                        Formulation A                                                                 Weight (g.)                                                                           Component                                                             ______________________________________                                        71.4    Polyene E                                                             28.6    pentaerythritol tetrakis (mercaptopropionate) -                               a polythiol commercially available from Cincinnati                            Milacron Chemicals, Inc., under the tradename "Q-43"                  2.0     benzophenone (photosensitizer)                                        0.05    H.sub.3 PO.sub.3 (stabilizer)                                         0.2     octadecyl-β-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butyl phenyl)                            propionate - commercially available from Geigy-Ciba                           under the tradename "IRGANOX 1076" (stabilizer)                       0.1     2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl phenol commercially                                available under the tradename "Ionol" from Shell                              Chemical Company (stabilizer)                                         Formulation B                                                                 Weight (g.)                                                                           Component                                                             ______________________________________                                        72.3    Polyene E                                                             27.7    ethylene glycol bis (mercaptopropionate) - a polythiol                        commercially available under the tradename "E-23"                             from Cincinnati Milacron Chemicals, Inc.                              2.0     benzophenone                                                          0.05    H.sub.3 PO.sub.3                                                      0.2     "IRGANOX 1076"                                                        0.1     "Ionol"                                                               Formulation C                                                                 Weight (g.)                                                                           Component                                                             ______________________________________                                        69.2    Polyene E                                                             30.8    trimethylpropane tris (mercaptopropionate) a poly-                            thiol commercially available from Cincinnati Milacron                         Chemicals, Inc., under the tradename "P-33"                           2.0     benzophenone                                                          0.05    H.sub.3 PO.sub.3                                                      0.2     "IRGANOX 1076"                                                        0.1     "Ionol"                                                               Formulation D                                                                 Weight (g.)                                                                           Component                                                             ______________________________________                                        60.75   Polyene E                                                             39.25   Polythiol X from Example VII                                          2.0     benzophenone                                                          0.05    H.sub.3 PO.sub.3                                                      0.2     "IRGANOX 1076"                                                        0.1     "Ionol"                                                               Formulation E                                                                 Weight (g.)                                                                           Component                                                             ______________________________________                                        79.5    Polyene A from Example I                                              30.0    "Q-43"                                                                2.19    benzophenone                                                          0.054   H.sub.3 PO.sub.3                                                      0.219   "IRGANOX 1076"                                                        0.109   "Ionol"                                                               Formulation F                                                                 Weight (g.)                                                                           Component                                                             ______________________________________                                        65.2    Polyene A                                                             22.5    "E-23"                                                                1.95    benzophenone                                                          0.048   H.sub.3 PO.sub.3                                                      0.195   "IRGANOX 1076"                                                        0.097   "Ionol"                                                               Formulation G                                                                 Weight (g.)                                                                           Component                                                             ______________________________________                                        71.3    Polyene A                                                             30.0    "P-33"                                                                2.02    benzophenone                                                          0.050   H.sub.3 PO.sub.3                                                      0.202   "IRGANOX 1076"                                                        0.101   "Ionol"                                                               Formulation H                                                                 Weight (g.)                                                                           Component                                                             ______________________________________                                        49.2    Polyene A                                                             30.0    Polythiol Z                                                           1.58    benzophenone                                                          0.039   H.sub.3 PO.sub.4                                                      0.158   "IRGANOX 1076"                                                        0.079   "Ionol"                                                               ______________________________________                                    

Each formulation was poured on a glass plate and drawn down to a 20 milthick film. The film on the plate was exposed to UV radiation for 2minutes under a UV Ferro lamp at a surface intensity of 7,000microwatts/cm². The cured samples were measured for percent elongationat failure. The results are shown in Table I.

                  TABLE I                                                         ______________________________________                                        Formulation      % Elongation at Failure                                      ______________________________________                                        A                76                                                           B                84                                                           C                66                                                           D                154                                                          E                90                                                           F                75                                                           G                63                                                           H                133                                                          ______________________________________                                    

As can be seen from the results, formulations D and H, consisting of thepolyene and polythiol in which both components are derived from ahydantoin glycol, resulted in cured polythioethers having very highpercent elongations as compared to the polyenes herein used withcommercially available mercaptate esters.

The molecular weight of the polyenes and polythiols of the presentinvention may be measured by various conventional methods includingsolution viscosity, osmotic pressure and gel permeation chromatography.Additionally, the molecular weight may be calculated from the knownmolecular weight of the reactants.

As can be seen from the above detailed description, the subject curableand particularly photocurable compositions comprised of compatiblepolyenes and polythiols derived from hydantoin glycol exhibit extremelysatisfactory chemical and physical properties and are versatile curablepolymeric systems.

It is understood that the foregoing detailed description is given merelyby way of illustration and that many variations may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A curable composition useful for obtaining asolid cross-linked polythioether consisting essentially of:1. A polyeneof the formula: ##EQU16## wherein A and B are polyvalent organic radicalmembers free of reactive carbon to carbon unsaturation and areindependently selected from the group consisting of aryl, substitutedaryl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,alkyl and substituted alkyl containing 1 to 36 carbon atoms and mixturesthereof, said group members can be connected by a chemically compatiblelinkage selected from the group consisting of --O--, --S--, carboxylate,carbonate, carbonyl, urethane and substituted urethane, urea andsubstituted urea, amide and substituted amide, amine and substitutedamine and hydrocarbon; Z is a divalent chemically compatible linkageselected from the group consisting of ##EQU17## --O-- and --S--; X is amember selected from the group consisting of (a) --(CH₂)_(d) --CR'=CHR,(b) --O--(CH₂)_(d) --CR'=CHR, (c) --S--(CH₂)_(d) --CR'=CHR, (d)--(CH₂)_(d) --C.tbd.CR, (e) --O--(CH₂)_(d) --C.tbd.CR, (f)--S--(CH₂)_(d) --C.tbd.CR; and mixtures thereof; where R and R' each areindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methylradicals; d, p and q are each integers from 0 to 1; m and n are eachintegers of at least 1; with m + n from 2 to 22 and r at least 1, and yfrom 1 to 10; and (2.) A polythiol of the formula: ##EQU18## wherein mand n are each at least 1 and m + n is 2 and 22 and R₃ is a polyvalentorganic radical member free of reactive carbon-to-carbon unsaturationand is selected from the group consisting of aryl, substituted aryl,aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, cylcoalkyl, substituted cylcoalkyl, alkyland substituted alkyl groups containing 1 to 16 carbon atoms andmixtures thereof, the total combined functionality of (a) the reactivecarbon-to-carbon bonds per molecule in the polyene and (b) the thiolgroups per molecule in the polythiol being greater than
 4. 2. A shaped,molded article cast from the composition of claim
 1. 3. A process offorming a solid crosslinked polythioether which comprises admixing1. Apolyene of the formula: ##EQU19## wherein A and B are polyvalent organicradical members free of reactive carbon to carbon unsaturation and areindependently selected from the group consisting of aryl, substitutedaryl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,alkyl and substituted alkyl containing 1 to 36 carbon atoms and mixturesthereof, said group members can be connected by a chemically compatiblelinkage selected from the group consisting of --O--, --S--, carboxylate,carbonate, carbonyl, urethane and substituted urethane, urea andsubstituted urea, amide and substituted amide, amine and substitutedamine and hydrocarbon; Z is a divalent chemically compatible linkageselected from the group consisting of ##EQU20## --O-- and --S--; X is amember selected from the group consisting of (a) --(CH₂)_(d) --CR'=CHR,(b) --O--(CH₂)_(d) --CR'=CHR, (c) --S--(CH₂)_(d) --CR'=CHR, (d)--(CH₂)_(d) --C.tbd.CR, (e) --O--(CH₂)_(d) --C.tbd.CR, (f)--S--(CH₂)_(d) --C.tbd.CR; and mixtures thereof; where R and R' each areindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methylradicals; d, p and q are each integers from 0 to 1; m and n are eachintegers of at least 1; with m + n from 2 to 22 and r at least 1, and yfrom 1 to 10; and
 2. A polythiol of the formula: ##EQU21## wherein m andn are each at least 1 and m + n is 2 to 22 and R₃ is a polyvalentorganic radical member free of reactive carbon-to-carbon unsaturationand is selected from the group consisting of aryl, substituted aryl,aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, cylcoalkyl, substituted cylcoalkyl, alkyland substituted alkyl groups containing 1 to 16 carbon atoms andmixtures thereof, the total combined functionality of (a) the reactiveunsaturated carbon to carbon bonds per molecule in the polyene and (b)the thiol groups per molecule in the polythiol being greater than 4 andthereafter exposing the mixture to ambient conditions in the presence ofa free radical generator.
 4. A process according to claim 3 wherein (1)said polyene is a member of the group consisting of: ##SPC8##and (2)said polythiol is a member of the group consisting of: ##EQU22## whereineach of the aforesaid group members m and n are integers of at least 1and m + n is 2-22.
 5. The solid product prepared by the process of Claim3.